In an era defined by escalating geopolitical tensions, the scramble for critical minerals has become a cornerstone of international relations. Among these, tungsten stands out as a vital resource, particularly in the realm of arms production.
Known for its exceptional hardness, high melting point, and density, tungsten is indispensable in manufacturing armor-piercing projectiles, kinetic energy penetrators, and other military hardware.
As global superpowers vie for dominance, the exploration, extraction, and enrichment of tungsten have sparked intense political and economic conflicts. China’s near-monopoly on production, coupled with recent export restrictions, has heightened vulnerabilities in Western supply chains, prompting urgent diversification efforts by the United States, the European Union, and their allies.
Tungsten’s unique properties make it irreplaceable in military applications. With a density comparable to uranium and gold, it excels in high-impact scenarios. In arms production, tungsten is primarily used in depleted uranium alternatives for armor-piercing ammunition, where its hardness allows projectiles to penetrate thick armor without fragmenting. For instance, kinetic energy penetrators in tank rounds and anti-tank missiles rely on tungsten alloys to deliver devastating force. It also features in bulletproof vehicles, armored tanks, and protective equipment designed to withstand ballistic impacts.
Beyond kinetic weapons, tungsten plays a role in nuclear applications, providing shielding for weapon components due to its ability to endure extreme temperatures and radiation. In aerospace defense, tungsten-based alloys enhance turbine blades and rocket nozzles, while in electronics, it forms emitter tips for electron guns in advanced surveillance systems. The U.S. Department of Defense recognizes tungsten as indispensable, with industrial uses overlapping military needs, such as in cemented carbides for cutting tools that support weapon manufacturing.
The demand for tungsten in defense has surged amid ongoing conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, straining global supplies. Heightened geopolitical strains have amplified this, with military stockpiling boosting requirements for materials like tungsten, even if volumes are relatively small compared to civilian uses.
The world’s tungsten reserves are unevenly distributed, with China holding the lion’s share at approximately 1.9 million metric tons (MT) as of 2024, followed by Australia and Russia. Production mirrors this dominance: In 2024, China produced 67,000 MT, accounting for over 80% of global output. Vietnam emerged as the second-largest producer with around 4,500 MT, while Russia, Bolivia and Austria followed with smaller shares. The United States, despite having reserves, has not mined tungsten domestically since 2015, relying on imports and conversion of concentrates.
This concentration creates vulnerabilities. Western nations, including the U.S. and EU, import most of their tungsten from China, exposing defense industries to supply disruptions. Enrichment processes – converting ore into usable forms like ammonium paratungstate or tungsten carbide – are also dominated by Chinese facilities, further entrenching dependencies. Exploration efforts in countries like Canada, Australia, and the U.S. aim to uncover new deposits, but environmental regulations and high costs hinder rapid development.
China’s control over tungsten has evolved into a geopolitical tool. By 2025, escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, including semiconductor sanctions and tariffs, prompted Beijing to weaponize its mineral dominance.
On February 4, 2025, China implemented export controls on tungsten and related items, requiring licenses for 20 products, alongside tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium. This move, framed as a response to U.S. tariffs, reduced exports and tightened mining quotas to 58,000 tons for 2024—a 6.5% drop from the prior year.
These restrictions have choked supplies to Western defense contractors, exacerbating a “tungsten supply crisis” that threatens national security. China’s actions align with broader patterns of controlling critical minerals, as seen in prior curbs on gallium and germanium since 2023. The result: Global prices surged to a 12-year high by May 2025, driven by tight supply and geopolitical friction.
The U.S. has prioritized tungsten in its critical minerals strategy, designating it as essential under the Energy Act of 2020. The Department of Defense invested in domestic revival, including projects like the Ima Mine in Idaho, aimed at securing a reliable supply amid China’s dominance.
In fiscal year 2025, the Defense Logistics Agency stockpiled up to 4.5 million pounds of tungsten, a 50% increase, underscoring its strategic priority. Companies like Almonty Industries have forged pacts to supply U.S. military needs, reducing reliance on adversarial sources.
The EU, equally alarmed, launched the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) to diversify supplies. By March 2025, it selected 47 strategic projects, including tungsten initiatives, to boost domestic capacities and international partnerships. In June, 13 projects outside the bloc targeted diversification, incorporating tungsten alongside copper and boron.
These efforts emphasize “strategic autonomy,” addressing Europe’s “commodity trap” with China. Collaborative frameworks, like U.S.-Canada mining partnerships, further aim to counter risks during global conflicts.
Economically, the tungsten fight has rippled through markets. Prices escalated in March 2025 due to China’s controls and German supply tightness, reshaping global trade. The market, valued at around $5-7 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to $53.85 billion by 2032, fueled by defense and tech demands. Disruptions have hit defense firms hard, with U.S. industries facing vulnerabilities in ammunition production.
Investments in alternative sources, such as Australia’s untapped reserves, have surged, but challenges like environmental scrutiny persist. Risk propagation in trade networks has led to volatile pricing and calls for diversified enrichment facilities.
Several incidents highlight the tensions. In early 2025, China’s restrictions directly retaliated against U.S. tariffs, mirroring broader trade wars. Almonty’s Sangdong mine in South Korea became a flashpoint, securing Western supplies amid U.S. vulnerabilities. Russia’s role as a producer adds complexity, with sanctions complicating imports for EU nations. Historical parallels, like tungsten’s WWII importance, underscore its enduring strategic value.
Looking ahead, exploration in underexploited regions like Africa and South America could dilute China’s hold, though conflicts in mining areas pose risks. Technological advancements in recycling and substitutes, such as molybdenum alloys, offer partial relief, but tungsten’s irreplaceable traits limit alternatives.
International alliances, including the U.S.-EU framework for risk assessment, will drive diversification. By 2030, new mines in the U.S. and Australia may contribute significantly, but geopolitical stability remains key.
The political and economic fights over tungsten epitomize the broader struggle for critical minerals in a multipolar world. China’s dominance and restrictions have exposed defense vulnerabilities, spurring Western nations to invest in self-sufficiency.
As arms production ramps up amid global instability, securing tungsten supplies will determine military readiness and economic resilience. Without concerted international cooperation, these battles risk escalating into broader conflicts, underscoring the need for sustainable, diversified strategies in the quest for this indispensable metal.